JACKSON, Miss. (WJTV) - The Mississippi Senate and Democratic Caucuses held a meeting on Tuesday to discuss the misuse of Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) funds.

Members of the caucuses heard from Mississippi Department of Human Services (MDHS) Executive Director Bob Anderson. Rep. Robert Johnson, Mississippi House Democratic Caucus leader, said more than $160 million is available at MDHS, and the agency is only serving 1,600 families when there are about 200,000 children in the state living in poverty.

The caucuses also mad recommendations on how to make applying for the funds easier.

“It's harder for a family of three to get $260 a month for job training and for food and the things they need," said Johnson.

Anderson wants to ask for a $60 increase, which would be $320 a month. Johnson said he wants to increase the funding somewhere around $500 to $550 a month for a family of three.